ready to buy a new truck

[murphy4trees]

I definitely need a new(er) truck to chip into...
Its spring and everyday without one is costing me money..
I Am thinking about buying a used bucket truck from forresatry equipment in Shelby NC and offices near Scranton Pa...
I think these are old Asplund trucks.. GM topkicks.. no cdl...
They are supposed to be "ready to go", gone over top to bottom, fresh paint and completey inspected lifts... I think they are '95s with high 40s-50s K mileage...
Can I truct these people both to be sending out units that are ready to work and that the miles are accurate..

 

[MasterBlaster]

"That thing gotta hemi?"

Didn't you get one of these in the mail, Daniel?

 

[Menchhofer]

I would suggest not to purchase a lift and chip box on one vehicle. It seems like a good idea, but RARELY will you find this set up suitable for residental work. The chipper will always be in an awkward position/brush dragging will increase also. Usually the chip box does not contain the yardage necessary for those removals.
If you will be working along the road most of the time it might work out for you though. The forestry unit I had I hitched the chipper up to it 2 times, and learned very quickly. I have hauled alot of wood in the dump bed off site instead of placing it in the chip truck.....just a few thoughts. Good luck.

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

shouldnt that truck read master blaster and his TREE PROS..man no wonder you got so much work

 

[a_lopa]

what are you currently using???

 

[dtw902]

Also in my area if you do any work around power lines/or line clearance you are supposed to unhook chipper from truck.
Dave

 

[MasterBlaster]

Unhook the chipper???

 

[dtw902]

Yep sounds crazy at first, but I guess if you were chipping and the bucket came in contact with lines you could possibly complete the circuit if you were touching the chipper. The chipper is grounded to the truck if hooked to the ball. Lucky I don't do much work for them only once in a while they will farm out some work to me, and then normally we pull brush out in the road and load with the prentance loader . Very seldom have to use the chipper. Dave

 

[MasterBlaster]

I got the elbow of my boom in a primary once, and shocked the groundies that were chipping... just a tingle, but it caught the asphalt under the outriggers on fire.

I can see where there might be some merit to that rule.

I just wouldn't let anyone chip while I was trimming if I was worried about energizing my truck.

 

[dtw902]

Yep I agree Butch, I guess I was trying to point out to Murphy, with the chip box on the bucket truck, there was added considerations if doing any kind of work around power. My bucket has the turet mounted at the rear of the truck, and if we need to chip,we chip into the grapple truck. But that takes two trucks, works good for me, just my thoughts good luck with the truck shopping Murphy let us know what you decide.
Dave

 

[ORclimber]

I've run at least 3 types of booms on Asplundh trucks doing production. My favorite was the High Ranger with a pistol grip. One of the plastic pieces would break in the pistol, but it was an easy fix as long as parts were on hand. The pistol control allows the operator one hand free to hang on to brush, so it can be dropped behind the chipper . Of course all those one handed cuts were made with a sticksaw, you have to really try to cut yourself with a sticksaw.

If I were buying a bucket it would have a chip box, cause I don't want to have to take 2 trucks, and definitely go over center.